Nereus will support a variety of science operations

Push coring: Push cores allow collection of relatively undisturbed sediment from the seafloor for a record of sedimentation over time. Nereus offers standard coring devices.
Measuring heat flow: The measurement of heat flow records the amount of heat emerging from Earth's interior. A heat-flow probe is available for controlled pushing into seafloor sediment by the vehicle's manipulator arm.

Geotechnical and geochemical sensing: Sensors measure pore pressure in sediments, fluid properties at various temperatures, and basic chemistry in the ocean.

Rock sampling and drilling: Rocks collected from the seafloor help scientists understand how Earth was formed. Nereus samples rocks of various mineralogic composition and grain size. New, small-scale drilling tools might be adapted for use on Nereus.

Biological sampling: Nereus supports the use of small suction samplers, nets, and the traditional "bio" boxes for sample storage and recovery of deep-sea organisms.

Water sampling: Nereus offers both hot and cold water sampling while monitoring the temperature of these fluids in real-time.

High resolution acoustic bathymetry: Nereus can be used for making seafloor maps and locating target sites for sampling or experiments.

Optical still and video imagery: Detailed photographs and videos of the seafloor provide a record of features and processes.

Minimize weight and power to keep core system to two 20-foot shipping containers.

The company Kraft TeleRobotics created a customized, 105-pound manipulator arm for use on Nereus. The arm was designed to be as lightweight as possible and to withstand tremendous pressure, said WHOI engineer Casey Machado. "It is controlled by what is called a 'master,'" he said. The master controller is essentially a miniature, hand-held version of the vehicle's arm, with the same joints and range of motion. "Whatever moves a pilot makes with the master, the real arm, or 'slave,' will mimic. The manipulator arm is used for a variety of tasks on the vehicle and functions as our way to do hands-on science on the bottom of the ocean. It can deploy instruments and sensors, use water samplers, take push cores, pick up rocks and even catch critters from time to time."
(Rendering by Casey Machado, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)

The design of the vehicle Nereus has evolved in many ways since engineers first dreamed of it in 2000.
(Illustration by E. Paul Oberlander, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)

The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution is dedicated to advancing knowledge of the ocean and its connection with the Earth system through a sustained commitment to excellence in science, engineering, and education, and to the application of this knowledge to problems facing society. Learn more »